Syria president claims ‘victory for all’ as ceasefire with Kurdish-led force announced

Government’s truce with Syrian Democratic Forces follows advance on Kurdish-held areas amid struggle to control entire country

The Syrian government on Sunday announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), taking almost full control of the country and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that controlled the north-east for over a decade.

The announcement comes as tensions between government forces and the SDF boiled over earlier this month, eventually resulting in a major push by government forces towards the east. The SDF appeared to have largely retreated after initial clashes on a tense frontline area in eastern Aleppo province.